March 30th sees the beginning of GBSC’s Introduction to Sailing course 2010. This course has been running for a number of years and has proved very popular: each year over 30 people come together to learn about sailing and how to sail. The course is designed to introduce people to the growing sport of sailing and is targeted towards adults. It is run in an adult friendly way, and helps people make the transition from the shore to the sea.

The course consists of 3 evenings of introduction to sailing and basic theory in the GBSC Clubhouse in March. This will be followed by a number of on-the-water evenings, sailing both dinghies and larger boats starting early to mid-April, as the evenings get brighter.

The programme takes place in the clubhouse at Galway Bay Sailing Club in Renville, Oranmore. There are three sessions in the clubhouse on the following dates, beginning at 20:00 hours:

• Tuesday March30
• Wednesday April 7th
• Wednesday April 14th

These talks introduce the beginner to the Club and the sport of sailing. What is covered over the three evenings will prepare newcomers for the on-water sessions giving them a basic understanding of the dynamics of sailing, boats and boat types, safety on the water and much more.

In April everyone gets out on the water...

After the theory evenings, we bring everyone out on the water first on Dinghies, and then on Cruisers. There are a range of boats in the club, from monohull dinghies to high performance catamarans. All participants get a chance to sail both type of dinghies; we provide the wetsuits and a buoyancy aid, if you don’t have one.

We also bring you out twice on Cruisers; these are the large (about 30 foot plus) yachts and you will get the opportunity to sail out in Galway Bay.

Friday evenings from April 16th to May 7th inclusive will be spent on the water, weather permitting, starting about 18:30.

At the end of the course, you will have experienced sailing from a theoretical but also practical perspective. The emphasis, aside from safety, will be on fun; enjoying sailing and learning in the process.

The cost of this course is €250. However, the club allows 100% of this cost against club membership, if you set up a standing order for membership fees. This option has proved very popular to people who really want to participate in a sailing club. GBSC has an open membership policy; we welcome everyone to the club and want to see as many people as possible sailing.

For further details of the course, email Glenn Nolan, R. C. Training at training@gbsc.ie.